The New Orleans Saints have agreed to terms with QB Zach Wilson on a one-year deal, according to Saints reporter Nick Underhill of NewOrleans Football, who reported the news Tuesday night on social media. ESPN’s Adam Schefter also confirmed the one-year terms.
In his report, Underhill described the move this way:
“Adds a veteran presence and some competition to the QB room behind Tyler Shough. Wilson, 26, was the No. 2 pick in 2021. He gives New Orleans a third quarterback with starting experience.”
Wilson, who has been with three different organizations since leaving New York, brings more NFL experience than the other two quarterbacks on New Orleans’ roster combined.
The signing adds to a quarterback room that has Tyler Shough as its clear starter heading into 2026, with Spencer Rattler currently serving as the primary backup.
Zach Wilson
Nov 30, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Zach Wilson (0) leaves the field following a game against the New Orleans Saints at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images
Wilson’s Career Path: From Top Draft Pick to Backup Through Multiple NFL Stops
Wilson played at BYU before the New York Jets selected him second overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, carrying enormous expectations for a franchise that had spent years searching for a franchise quarterback at the position.
Saints are signing former Dolphins QB Zach Wilson to a one-year deal, as @nick_underhill reported. pic.twitter.com/1TxSbPCmD5
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 25, 2026
He made 33 starts with New York across three seasons before the Jets traded him to the Denver Broncos in 2024. Wilson never appeared in a game with Denver, and the Broncos declined his option not long after.
The Miami Dolphins signed Wilson for the 2025 season. He appeared in four games, completing 6 of 11 passes for 32 yards in limited action behind starter Tua Tagovailoa.
When Tagovailoa was eventually benched in Miami, the Dolphins gave the starting job to Quinn Ewers rather than Wilson, further narrowing his playing time.
For his career, Wilson has completed 57% of his passes for 6,325 yards with 23 touchdowns and 25 interceptions across 38 games.
Why New Orleans Signed Wilson and What It Means for the Quarterback Room
Miami Dolphins, Zach Wilson
Nov 12, 2025; Madrid, Spain; Miami Dolphins quarterback Zach Wilson (0) gestures during practice at Estadio Riyadh Air Metropolitano. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Tyler Shough, the Saints’ second-round pick from the 2025 NFL Draft out of Louisville, took over as New Orleans’ starter in Week 9 of his rookie year. He went 5-4 in those starts, with plenty of room still to grow.
Shough threw for 2,384 yards and 10 touchdowns against six interceptions after taking over. He enters 2026 heading into just his 10th career NFL start.
Spencer Rattler, 25, had 16 appearances with New Orleans before losing the starting job to Shough. Trade discussions around Rattler have circulated this offseason, and his roster status is not locked in.
If the Saints move Rattler in a trade, Wilson becomes the clear backup with real starter experience behind him. If Rattler stays, New Orleans carries three quarterbacks who have each started NFL games.